CAPTIVATED

Chapter 25

We entered an Italian restaurant first. Binilhan ni Janine at inabutan ang bodyguards niya bago sila pauwiin. Well, may isang mag checheck in sa malapit na hotel para matawagan kapag kailangan.

I watched how happy my brother looked like as he ate his food. Sobrang gana at kung anu-anong pinagsasabi. He's closer to Janine.

Hindi ko alam kung kailan pa natutong makipag kaibigan sa bata si Janine but I do appreciate her efforts.

Namili kami ng ibat-ibang damit. May mga pang alis, some that he can use at home, for swimming, formal, and casual clothes.

"I want to play ball, ate." his eyes were sparkling as he asked for a ball.

Walang pagdadalawang isip na dumampot ako ng isa.

"How about books?" I asked.

"Can I just rest from reading books for a while?" hinawakan pa niya ang kamay ko.

Hindi ako nakapag salita dahil na rin nalipat ang tingin ko kay Janine na Hinapit ako sa baywang.

"Mom used to scold me for playing. Hindi niyo raw ako magugustuhan kapag hindi ako magaling mag aral." he said nonchalantly but it broke my heart.

How can a mother be that rude to her own son?

"Let him enjoy things for now," marahang saad ni Janine.

"What else do you want to play?" tanong ko kay Kael at nagsimula na siyang magpaikot ikot.

"He needs extra care and love..." Janine said while still pushing the cart. "I saw his bruises. Ang lala nung nasa hita niya."

I only sighed without saying anything. Nagawa kong mag alaga kay Reese habang ang kapatid ko, minamaltrato ng nanay niya.

I don't know what it is that day but I was extra sensitive with everything. Kahit pa ang maliliit na ingay ay naririnig ko.

I texted mom to get out guest room fixed so my brother will have his permanent room. Wala rin namang sinabi si mommy. She just said 'okay'.

Nagpunta kami sa arcades at sinamahan si Kael maglaro ng kung anu-ano. We spent 500 for tokens. Mostly, si Janine ang kasama niya at tamang cheer lang ang ambag ko.

We ate our dinner but we didn't eat too much. Medyo busog pa sa kinain kaninang hapon.

Kael was really tired on our way home. Kitang kita sa rear view mirror ang kanyang paulit ulit na pag hikab.

Janine looked a little tired too but she also looks happy. Siguro ay satisfied siya sa mga nangyari ngayong araw.

Nang makauwi, pareparehas kaming bumati kay mommy. I introduced my two brothers to Janine.

Kyron seem to have an idea who Janine is. Napatagal pa kasi ang titig nito kumpara kay Kyle na nahihiyang ngumiti lang.

Hinatid ko muna si Janine sa kwarto ko at sinabihang mag ayos na ng pantulog.

I helped Kael wash himself. Kahit sa paglagay ng powder sa katawan niya at pag higa sa may kataasang kama.

Bukas ko na lang aayusin ang mga gamit niya. As for now, he needs to rest.

"Thank you, ate."

"You're welcome." hinaplos ko ang noo niya. "This will be your permanent room, Kael." marahang saad ko.

His eyes watered with tears. It's as if he's been wanting to be treated the way I'm treating him.

"I slept beside you kanina. I never had the chance to sleep beside mommy." umupo siya at pinunasan ang sariling luha.